Chapter 38: Other Business & Texas Mayhem

Raleigh NC: Mikaelson Mansion

[Elijah's POV]

An hour after Niklaus meeting with the wolves concluded; Tristan and several members of the Strix enter our meeting room. "It smells a little eau de Werewolf in here. Niklaus just lifts an eyebrow at the comment and Tristian catches the look. "No offense intended Niklaus."

"None taken," he smirks back at him.

"You said you had information about a 'Curse' placed on our family?"

"We need to warn you of 'the Beast' that will be an Upgraded Original Vampire. It will be able to kill Originals. We brought Alexis, the witch along with us, she is prophesying: 'The rise of the Beast'." Lucien offers helpfully.

Niklaus smirks at him. "There is no need for your witch. We already know the outcome of it and who will be 'The Beast'." The trio's eyes widen.

"Our family has access to witches and seers that have filled us in on what has been going on. We have other business to attend to: Lucien you and Kingmaker Industries will stop hunting the werewolves. You will dismantle all secret labs and release those you experimented on. Make the call now." Niklaus compels him.

"Elijah you are going to allow this?" Tristian protests the order given.

I raise my right eyebrow. "Why are you objecting? The Beast will kill you and Aurora very easily. You brought this on yourselves making up a false prophecy and working diligently to make it come true. You were shortsighted to believe that you could pull off an exploitation of this magnitude without ramifications."

"How are 'the Sisters' fairing these days?"

Aurora swallows, 'How did you know about them?"

The double doors of the study fly open and Freya walks through the door. "I am amazed at your ignorance of our family and its history. I am Freya the firstborn of the Mikaelson family." She looks at Alexis that has backed into the corner. "Leave now and never bother us again or I will place a curse on your head for trying to harm my family." The witch leaves the room quickly. "That goes for the lot of you also. Lucien you will abide by my brothers command to dismantle Kingmaker Industries. I will see everything you do. Tristian, there is a box on the bottom of the ocean with your name on it, if you continue with your current plans. She warns.

I decide to add another nail to the trio's coffin. "Due to the tenents of the Strix Charter: I relieve you of command Tristian. I name Ramont Nafarro the new leader of the Strix." I pull out the charter from my top desk drawer. A stocky man with raven black hair and green eyes enters the room through the double doors. He is followed by the other members of the Strix. I glance up at the other members of the Strix and ask, "Any challengers?"

"We accept Ramont as our new leader."

[Tristian's POV]

I am biting the side of my mouth not to protest. I didn't anticipate Elijah's reaction to our plans. I nod in resignation. "I concede leadership to Ramont." This will put a serious kink in any of our plans to end the Originals. I need to call Aya and warn her of the newest changes. She will lose the battle if she challenges Ramont: he is a skilled and crafty fighter. Elijah will just appoint another leader if Ramont falls.

I glance over at my sister, surprised that Aurora hasn't said anything. She is looking at Freya. Freya is grinning at her. This can't be good. Before I can say anything Aurora is encased in a block of crystal. Frozen in the casting position she was attempting. "Why did you do that?"

Freya looks at me and states: "Aurora decided to challenge me with a dark magic item. She lost, when I turned its magic back on her."

"Do you have a way of releasing her?"

Freya looks at me with her head tilted. "It will take some time to research what spell she tried. It could take a century or two to find the right one, plus the magic item is encased with her and I have other priorities at this time. If you catch up to Alexis she might try researching for a spell to undo it."

I try to lift the crystalized block encasing Aurora. Freya levitates it for me to take to the white van we rented from the airport. She kindly puts it into the back for me. I just want to leave town and regroup. Aurora and I were not prepared for Elijah's or Freya's counter measures. Lucien can fend for himself we are leaving.

[Freya's POV]

Lucien glares at me. "I will talk with you later Niklaus." He speeds out of the building.

"Nik we are going to have to watch that one. I will send warning to the Alphas for you so they can be on guard for his shenanigans."

Nik looks up and nods. "I'll ask Charlotte to keep an eye on him also." He responds.

My cellphone rings with Charlotte's tone. "It's safe for you guys to port to the ranch. I have called for a family meeting here."

"We will be there once I am sure we are in the clear. I want to put up a few wards just in case someone else starts snooping around."

Charlotte laughs. "Someone always seems to want to poke their noses in our business. See y'all soon."

Private Cabin: Whitlock Ranch TX

[Damon's POV]

It has been a week and a half since our babies' birth. Bella has healed rapidly, according to Sage. Bella suggested we get away for a night for just us. I know I miss the fun times with my wife. I love the girls. I just need some time with Bella. I'm adapting to being a 'new' dad. I had some experience previously with helping my mother bottle feed Stefan when he was a baby. Marie is a nose grabber. Charlene giggles and blows bubbles in between gulps of milk.

We have an unwritten rule whoever is holding a baby is on diaper duty. There are changing stations at various points in the house. They will come in handy. Seems we are not the only couple expanding our family. Angela is about to deliver any time now. Charlie and Rebekah announced they are expecting last week. Yesterday Finn and Sage made their announcement also. We will be knee deep in toddlers soon.

I find Bella to be very sexy when she nurses our daughters. She just looks up and her smile promises sexy times for later every time she watches me readjust. We are very lucky all of the family members adore the girls. I don't think they have been put down long enough to complete a night's sleep without someone picking them up. They have been very good natured about all the attention they receive.

Bella bats me on the back of the head with a pillow. "Were did you go?"

"I was thinking we will be knee deep in babies soon."

She laughs and kisses me. "I know it's a major adjustment, for all of us that didn't expect to ever be parents. For one, I keep falling in love with vampires."

I pout at her. "I love you Damon. You are the best lover, husband and father that I know. You love with your whole heart."

I pounce. She laughs as I tickle her. "I'll show you some vampire loving." We spend quality time between the sheets reconnecting.

New Orleans: Old Bridge

[Niklaus POV]

Marcel is waiting for me at the end of the bridge overlooking a clear stream and a walking path. The area is deserted. "Marcel, I have something for you along with other news you might find interesting."

He is watching me stoically. "What do you have that I would be interested in?"

I hand him the small quart truth stone. "What is this?"

"Marcel the family plans on moving back to New Orleans and taking up residence in the old mansion."

The stone heats up and he almost drops it. "What the hell Niklaus?"

"That is a 'truth' stone. It allows the bearer to know if someone is lying to them. It mildly heats up at fibs, but almost to sunburn level if someone is maliciously lying to you."

"Why are you giving me this?"

"I want you to know I'm telling you the truth. We need to discuss a few things that have caused misunderstandings in the past."

"I'm listening."

"When you were young Elijah backed off from teaching you because your closeness to him hurt me. He still cares for you. When we fled from Mikael when he came for us here in New Orleans, we sheltered you from his wrath. He would have killed you and anyone that he thought we loved. We only meant to protect you."

"I'm sorry this caused a rift in the relationship between us. Bekah wants you to know she still loves you from a sister's perspective. She has found her mate. She says that you have found yours recently also. She would like for you to give her a call when you have a chance."

"There have been a few developments you will be interested in. Aurora is encased in crystal due to a spell that backfired on her. Ramont Nafarro is the new leader The Strix. Lucien has been warned that he must dismantle Kingmaker Industries. Marcel I'm sorry you had to go through the transition to become an Upgraded Original Vampire or 'The Beast' from Lucien's concoction of werewolf venom. I wish you well and if I or our family can assist you in the future please let us know."

I turn to leave. I gave him a lot of information to contemplate. "Niklaus wait." I turn back around.

"I am willing to work things out with you and the family, but the threat of 'the Hollow' isn't making things easier. I changed into 'the Beast' because of the treats headed this way. I will need all the help I can get to confront and deal with 'the Hollow'.

"I will stay in touch with you and give my assistance when needed. Marcel, I have always been proud of you and your accomplishments. The family is dealing with a problem in Texas. We should be available to help within the following week. We have been warned to stay away from New Orleans. 'The Hollow' plans kill our family using our powers to gain a body and pervert our powers to further her own warped plans. Be very careful Marcel do not go up against 'the Hollow' without powerful backup from several factions."

My phone chirps with Charlotte's tone. "Please put Marcel on the phone." I grin. "Marcel meet our resident psychic." I hand him the phone.

"Marcel, my name is Charlotte. I have visions and you need to contact Vincent Griffith if you haven't already. He has valuable information about 'the Hollow' and he really needs your help. Children with witch powers are being kidnapped and used as batteries to fuel the dark magic of 'the Hollow". You can call me at this number for further information." Charlotte disconnects the call.

He looks at me with a 'what the fuck' expression. I laugh, "Charlotte is a force of nature. Her predictions are uncanny accurate. Let me see your cell phone." I enter four numbers for him. Charlotte's being the first one on the list. "Marcel, I need to leave before my presence draws unwanted attention. You have my contact number if you need me."

Marcel nods at me. He needs to process. I give him a brief wave and head into a secluded stand of trees to port back to the ranch.

Whitlock Ranch, Texas

[Jasper's POV]

I am venting to Damon. "Maria is still forming an army of Cold Ones in an area northwest of Laredo. She is using the terrain to hide it. She periodically sends scouts this way to check up on us. So far none of her scouts live long enough to relay any information back to her. The family has ported in from various locations to have one of our strategy meetings. We need to take out this threat. The Volturi aren't moving quick enough to quell this problem. They are probably hoping that we will annihilate each other, before they have to commit to doing something about it."

Damon points out. "Aro doesn't want to risk any of his pets. Let's go over strategy with everyone and see what we can do to neutralize the problem, before it becomes a bigger issue."